Hatters snap up defender Charles

Anthony Charles

Published:16:33Wednesday 19 June 2013

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Town have confirmed two-time Conference-winning centre-half Anthony Charles has joined the club.

The News/Gazette exclusively revealed Town boss John Still was making his seventh signing of the summer today and the 32-year-old, who helped Barnet and Aldershot to the Conference title in 2005 and 2008 respectively, has signed a one year deal at Kenilworth Road.

Charles has made over 350 appearances for Aldershot, Barnet, Farnborough, Northampton and Plymouth, where he finished the campaign.

He began his career as a trainee at Crewe but dropped out of the Football League and eventually signed for Aldershot for the first time in 2003.

The Isleworth-born defender joined Barnet in January 2005, helping the Bees to the Conference title, and three years later, re-signed for Aldershot where he picked up a second championship in non-league’s top flight.

Charles left Aldershot after 152 games where he scored 12 times to move to Northampton in January 2012, where he made 18 League Two appearances.

He then joined Plymouth in January of this year, where he made 11 appearances at the heart of the Argyle defence prior to his contract expiring.

Boss John Still told the club’s official website: “Anthony’s CV speaks for itself. Two promotions from the Conference as champions; Player of the Year and Players’ Player at Aldershot.

“He’s another winner. If you took a back four of (Ronnie) Henry, (Scott) Griffiths, (Steve) McNulty and Charles they’ve all won the Conference and that is the kind of winning mentality that is going to be so important to us.”

Charles also told the club’s website: “There are opportunities that arise that you can’t turn down and playing for Luton is one of them.

“The supporter base is magnificent and, having played at Kenilworth Road before, I know how intense the fans can be.

“The Conference is an unforgiving league but consistency is the key. Next year we have to dig deep and grind out results if we are going to be a success.

“I’ve won this league twice and I want to do it a third time. The manager didn’t have to sell the club to me because I’ve known of John for a long time and I’m aware of his credentials and what he’s done in the game.